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Mango and Peppercorns
Mango and Peppercorns: A Memoir of Food, an Unlikely Family, and the American Dream | Tung Nguyen, Katherine Manning, Lyn Nguyen
4 posts | 4 read | 7 to read
A powerful memoir of resilience, friendship, family, and food from the acclaimed chefs behind the award-winning Hy Vong Vietnamese restaurant in Miami. Through powerful narrative, archival imagery, and 20 Vietnamese recipes that mirror their story, Mango & Peppercorns is a unique contribution to culinary literature. In 1975, after narrowly escaping the fall of Saigon, pregnant refugee and gifted cook Tung Nguyen ended up in the Miami home of Kathy Manning, a graduate student and waitress who was taking in displaced Vietnamese refugees. This serendipitous meeting evolved into a decades-long partnership, one that eventually turned strangers into family and a tiny, no-frills eatery into one of the most lauded restaurants in the country. Tung's fierce practicality often clashed with Kathy's free-spirited nature, but over time, they found a harmony in their contrastsa harmony embodied in the restaurant's signature mango and peppercorns sauce. IMPORTANT, UNIVERSAL STORY: An inspiring memoir peppered with recipes, it is a riveting read that will appeal to fans of Roy Choi, Ed Lee, Ruth Reichl, and Kwame Onwuachi. TIMELY TOPIC: This real-life American dream is a welcome reminder of our country's longstanding tradition of welcoming refugees and immigrants. This book adds a touchpoint to that larger conversation, resonating beyond the bookshelf. INVENTIVE COOKBOOK: This book is taking genre-bending a step further, focusing on the story first and foremost with 20 complementary recipes. Perfect for: Fans of culinary nonfiction Fans of Ruth Reichl, Roy Choi, Kwame Onwuachi, and Anya Von Bremzen Home cooks who are interested in Asian food and cooking
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review
Soubhiville
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Pickpick

I finished my bookclub pick before work this morning. You can see Sietje was here to quietly support me 😊

This is a memoir by 3 women: Tung, a Vietnamese American who came here as a refugee in 1975; her friend and eventual business partner Kathy, who welcomed Tung into her home when she arrived in Miami; and Tung‘s daughter Lyn. Together they created a much loved restaurant and served award winning food.

Simply written beautiful story.

Soubhiville #AceRepresentation, quietly stated, with a friendship I really related to. 2y
AmyG Your sweet girl. ❤️ 2y
dabbe Hello, Sweet Sietje! 💙🐾💙 2y
74 likes4 stack adds3 comments
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Sydneypaige
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Pickpick

Vietnamese food, a refugee‘s journey to Miami, and a blossoming friendship 💕 I really enjoyed this memoir that follows both Tung & Kathy in turn. Through the two women, it shows their different mindsets/attitudes and American privilege (“American Dream” propaganda) and Vietnamese culture.

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Lizwarnerpdx
Pickpick

This is a vulnerable and moving story of a Vietnamese refugee and an odd duck American becoming life long friends & running a restaurants together. And it includes recipes! It‘s one of those stories that keep you thinking & make you want to do more to make the world a better place.

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PatriciaU
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Spending my evening with this beauty. It was waiting on my desk at work this morning.

34 likes1 stack add